Can opener



R. Z SNYDER..

CAN OPENER- APPLICATION FILED APR. 2. 1921.

1,420,456. I Patented 1m 20,1922.

gum/W54 Fay Z. 52v Y'PER BOY Z. SNYDER, CF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

CAN OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jflne 20 1922.

Application filed April 2, 1921. Serial No. 458,093.

Z. SNYDER, a

My invention relates to mprovements in 1 can openers, and more particularly to a crevice of that character whereby the top may be removed from a can by severing the can body circumferentially just below the top wall and which, in its operation, will turn the metal at the edge of the cut outwardly to facilitate the removal of the contents from the can. M

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a can opening device-of the above character, that can be easily and quickly applied to cans of all sizes and shapes, and which may be operated easily to quickly and satisfactorily perform its work.

More specifically stated, it is the objec of the invention to provide a can opener, wherein there is a lever, provided at one end with a piercing point and a cutting edge continuing therefrom, and which is mounted pivotally upon a clamping device for engaging the can rim flange, whereby the lever is held in functional cutting position, and wherein said clamping device comprises means which will automatically grip the can flange while the lever is being actuated to pierce or cut the can wall but will release so that it may be advanced to follow up the out.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can opener constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the device in functional position for removing the top from a can; showing in dotted lines different positions of the lever before making and during a cutting stroke.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the can and opener. I

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line M in Figure 3,

while in use.

showing the position of the parts when'the device is applied to a can.

Figure 5 is a similar view after the lever has been actuated through a cutting stroke. Referring more in detail to the several views of the drawings,*wherein like reference numerals designate the same or like aarts 1 designates what may "be a flat plate, forming one of the clamping members whereby the cutter, indicated as a whole at 2. may be held functionally in position This plate is adapted, when the device is in use, to overlie the end flange 4, which is formed about the end of-the can when the end andside walls are seamed together and at its inner end'has a downwardly back turned jaw portion v5 which is adapted to engage the inner face ofthe' flange andwhich is provided with suitable gripping teeth so that it will not slip thereon.

Pivotally fixed to the underside of the plate 1 by means of a rivet, or by a screw bolt 6, as shown, is a cam jaw plate 7. This is adapted to work along the outside of the flange in opposed relation to the jaw 5, so that, between them, the flange 4 may be tightly gripped and the plate 1 thereby prevented from any possible slippage. The plate 7 is also provided along its gripping edge with gripping teeth .8,.which tighten against the outside of the flange when a cut is being made.

The cutter member 2 consists of a lever arm that is pivotally fixed, by means of a screw 10, to the outer edge of the cam plate 7. The screw preferably would be threaded upwardly through the plate 7, with the head 12 at its lower end for retaining the lever' thereon, and with its upper end extending through an arcuate slot 14: formed in the plate 1 with the bolt 6 as its center of curvature.

At its inner end the cutter has a head portion 15 provided with a curved cutting edge 16 which continues outwardly from a sharpened piercing point 17 near the pivot point of thelever. The outer portion'lS of the lever may be extended any desirable or necessary length which will make operation easy.

The cutting lever is mounted on the plate 7 at such position relative to the mounting of the latter on the plate 1, that when pres- .sure is applied against the lever to pierce or cut the can wall, the teeth of the cam plate 7 will be urged tightly against the flange and the harder the pressure on the lever, the greater will be the holding tendency of the gripping members.

Assuming that the device is so constructed, when applying the same to a can, the lever arm 18 is first swung to that position relative to the plate 1 as it is shown in the swung outwardly from the jaw .5 leaving a space so that the can flange may be received therebetween. In this position, the piercing point '17 is disposed ad acent the can wall as shown in Figure 4.

The lever 18 is then swung from the position shown at 18 through position, indicated in dotted lines at 18 in Figure 2, to the positionas it is shown in fulllines, or. This movementas shown in Figure 5. causes the jaws 5 and teeth of jaw 7 to grip the flange 4 and to hold the device against slippage while the point 17 first pierces the can wall and the cutting edge 16 severs the wall further. The lever is then reciprocated between the position at 18 and as shown in full lines, Figure 2, until the top is severed; the forward movements permittingthe release of the jaws so that the device is automatically advanced during this forward movement, and the rearward movements causing the jaws to grip the flange and hold the device as the cut is advanced.

It will be seen that the device in operation will cause the edges of the cut to be turned outwardly and that removal of the contents of the can is thereby facilitated.

It is further apparent that the shape of the parts could be altered Without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore, I do not wish to be limited only to the details shown.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. A can opener of the class described comprising a guide plate having a backturned gripping portion at its inner end, a

gripping plate pivotally fixed to the guide plate at its outer end having a cam surface disposed in opposed relation to said back-turned gripplng portion of the guide plate a handle memberpivotally fixed to the gripping plateby means oifset from the first named pivotal connection 'andhaving a cutting edge along one end thereof, the said pivotal connections of the members being located in such relation that actuation of the handle to press the" cutting edge thereof a through the wall of the can to which the device is applied will efi'ect the clamping of the gripping members against the flange of j the can.

2. A can opener of the class described comprising a guide plate having a back-turned portion forming a gripping jaw for engaging the innerface of the end flange ofa can, a gripping plate pivotally fixed to said guide a cam plate pivotally mounted on the underside of the guide plate having a toothed surface disposed in opposed relation to the said jaw and adapted to be moved from and against the outer side of the said cam flange, and acutting lever pivotally fixed to the underside of the gripping plate at a point 011'- set outwardly from the first named pivotal connection and having a cutting head at its inner end provided with a sharpened piercing point and a curved cutting edge continuing from said point.

Signed at Seattle, WVashington, this 25th day of March, 1921.

ROY Z. SNYDER.

V for engaging the inner face of said flange, 

